Magic Coach Doc Rivers responded Sunday to more verbal shots from Milwaukee Bucks Coach George Karl in a magazine article.

Karl has had a running feud with Rivers since the Bucks and Magic were fighting for the same playoff berth two years ago. In the April issue of Esquire, Karl says Rivers has been "anointed" as a great coach, and predicts "there's going to be four or five more anointments of the young Afro-American coach."

Karl claims young African-American coaches are now getting chances to be head coaches without paying their dues, to the exclusion of white assistant coaches. He says Terry Stotts, a deserving coach on his Milwaukee staff, "can't even get an interview."

Asked by NBC's Peter Vecsey for his reaction, Rivers said he tried not to take Karl too seriously and wasn't interested in prolonging he feud. He also questioned why Karl didn't criticize Indiana's hiring of Larry Bird, who had no coaching experience at any level.

"I think what George needs is a big hug," he said.

Rivers was a little more candid off the air.

"I take it personally when it's about race," he said. "There's no place for that. The bottom line is I don't think George has an opinion that anyone should listen to on this subject. I don't think he's been anointed as the coaches' spokesperson.

"But when I read it, it's not as bad as I heard. He's just frustrated for his assistant coach not being able to get a job. And he blames me for doing a good job. I don't know how silly that is. It's pretty silly."


If the NBA playoffs were to start today, the Bucks and Magic would meet in the first round again.